LOGAN, Utah, July 7, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The deputy athletic director fired last week over alleged noncompliance with Title IX policies at Utah State says he intends to file a grievance with the university.
Jerry Bovee was terminated from his role as Utah State’s associate vice president and deputy athletic director July 2, along with head football coach Blake Anderson and Austin Albrecht, who served as director of player development and the community for the football team.
All three were fired over alleged actions in spring 2023, when Bovee served as interim athletic director, involving full and timely reporting of disclosures of sexual misconduct, including domestic violence.
In a statement released to media Sunday, Bovee says he was blindsided by the firing, describing himself as “a firm supporter and defender of Title IX civil rights law” who has “never incurred disciplinary action or accusations of misconduct of any kind during his tenure.”
Bovee, a Utah State alumnus, says he was terminated “based on an inconclusive and untimely review” of the April 2023 incident.
“Contrary to what has been represented, Bovee and two other USU employees did in fact report the incident to the USU Office of Equity. Even so, the external review did not commence until the fall of 2023. And not until July 2, 2024, some eight months later, was Bovee summarily terminated, without an opportunity to respond to the results of the review,” the statement reads.
Bovee intends to file a grievance within the required 30 days of his termination, according to the statement.
“Because this is a fluid situation, Bovee cannot comment further other than to say he has no ill will against USU, an institution that he loves. Bovee trusts the [university] will consider in good faith all the circumstances specific to his actions in considering his grievance and will also refrain from further comment while his grievance is pending,” the statement concludes.
USU Vice President and Director of Athletics Diana Sabau met July 2 with members of the football team and staff within the program to inform them of the changes. Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling was announced as the Aggies’ interim head football coach for the 2024 season.
Sabau and USU President Elizabeth Cantwell also explained their actions in an email to faculty and staff, saying they were “the result of a thorough external investigation, and we believe the evidence demands immediate action.”
“Our job is to fearlessly hold ourselves and others accountable for their conduct and to make sure that, for the sake of our students and our community, we are living the values of our university. While recognizing the impact of these decisions on our student athletes and football program, we will continue to take the steps necessary to deliver a respectful, transparent and winning culture at Utah State University.”
Anderson responded last week by retaining college sports attorney Tom Mars, according to ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel.
Mars says USU faces an “uphill battle” in firing Anderson for cause, Thamel reported.
“Stiffing a head coach by blaming him for what his supervisor was supposed to do is a novel approach, but that theory will never hold up in court,” the attorney told ESPN.
Bovee was hired as USU’s associate vice president and deputy athletic director in March 2019, following 10 years as athletic director at Weber State University. He was appointed interim athletic director in November 2022.
Bovee earned a bachelor’s degree in business finance from Utah State in 1992 and began his career in athletic administration as a sales and promotions specialist at USU and later as assistant athletics director for marketing and promotions.
